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Following is a transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr Lai Tung-kwok, after a meeting of the Panel on Security of the Legislative Council this morning (July 4):
Reporter: (On water barriers and press freedom)
Secretary for Security: For the first question, as you all know that, the water barrier, when filled with water, will have a weight of about two tonnes. So in normal circumstances, it is useful to forestall any forceful actions that could or might be taken by people who wish to demonstrate or express their views. As we can see from the live video broadcast, those protesters did try to use their best to move these water barriers. As a result, the police officers have to take certain counter measures, by building up people on the other side of the water barriers. And during that stage, the water barriers … some of the members during the Panel meeting have told us through their actual experience that these water barriers had been moved. I think in such circumstances, there is a danger that these water barriers might fall. If that is the case, it might cause personal injury to all parties present there, including those who want to express their views, including police officers and also reporters who are also staying at the frontline. So as we all know that, the Police are duty-bound to maintain order and to prevent any possible injuries. So the Police have to ask those who wish to express their views to stop and if and when these requests are not followed and if force use was continued, then they have to give warnings and failing that, they have to use effective ways to stop people from pushing.
Reporter: (On whether press freedom had been obstructed by police officers taking away an Apple Daily reporter)
Secretary for Security: Regarding the incident, I think you are mentioning about those that happened in the cruise terminal at Kai Tak. As I have said yesterday, firstly, the Police have already issued a statement shortly after the incident, and they have already said that there would be further enquiries. If any officers have been found that they are not doing their job, then there would be a fair investigation, followed by necessary action. They have also said that due to this incident, in fact as far as I understand there are two complaints lodged, and as we all know there are established procedures to investigate all these complaints. The system is here and the system can provide suitable answers to what had happened. Within the system, I think we should all have confidence on that. Thank you.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:03
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